SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) — Just hours after our stories aired about nurses and other staff at a local nursing home going unpaid for weeks, a well-known nonprofit felt inspired to give back, so we checked in with them to see how the nursing home was doing.
We caught up with Bob the Bike Guy this afternoon, who told us that after donating supplies to Pioneer Valley Rehabilitation in South Hadley, he has stayed in touch with the staff. He says that things have improved since the foreclosure process began and they are optimistic about the future.
Bob Charland is known as “The Bike Guy” here in Western Massachusetts, but he doesn’t just donate bikes. His organization also has a warehouse full of medical supplies that they donate to seniors in need.
““On the second day after we donated the first five pallets, they contacted us again because they were out of toilet paper and hand soap, so we sent them one pallet each,” Charland told us.
When he first heard our story about the unpaid staff and lack of supplies at Pioneer Valley Rehab in South Hadley, Charland and his volunteers decided to give back and help alleviate their burnout. But now, after a few weeks, Charland tells us he’s stayed in touch with the facility’s staff and he’s happy to report that things are looking up.
“Everyone was paid and all their fees were reimbursed. The staff worked beyond what was necessary and paid for the materials out of their own pockets, they were all compensated,” he said.
However, Charland added that they are still struggling with staffing issues, with many leaving the home because they are not being paid. However, the nursing home is in the process of recruiting and they are optimistic.
“The suppliers have started working with them after their invoices are paid and they are still using the supplies they gave them,” he claimed.
Charland said he was happy that the facility was placed under state administration. At the same time, he was sad that it had to come to this and he wanted to thank everyone who stepped in and helped when the nursing home needed it.
“Politics is not my thing. I don’t hang out with politicians, I don’t go to fundraisers or anything like that, but I’ve called every politician I know through my community work and every single one has called me back,” he said.
If you know a senior in need or would like to get involved with Pedal Through Youth, click HERE: https://www.pedalthruyouth.org/?fbclid=iwy2xjaweslkvlehrua2flbqixmaabhwc47zj7hrfhrkp2g9rq5dwnvzl6dbvgo7mt76shfqvtpo-imgxv1h80-w_aem_5m4caxougapy5z0ltz3gaq
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